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Medical Law in Dentistry and OMFS: KAP Study
Kavita Sharma1, Heena D Tiwari2, Shilpa Sunil Khanna3
1Consultant Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India.
Background:
With the increasing medico-legal challenges in clinical practice, dental and oral and maxillofacial surgeons must be well-versed in legal protocols. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) regarding medical law among dental professionals across India.
Materials And Methods:
A cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey was conducted among 2,581 dental and oral and maxillofacial surgical (OMFS) practitioners from various Indian states. The validated tool assessed legal knowledge, attitudes toward medico-legal importance, and routine practices like informed consent and record-keeping. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square tests with significance set at P < 0.05.
Results:
A total of 57.76% reported basic knowledge of medical law, while 64.04% were aware of informed consent laws. Although 72.75% strongly agreed that understanding medical law is essential, only 52.49% expressed strong confidence in managing medico-legal scenarios. Routine consent and documentation were practiced by 71.01% and 69.19% of respondents, respectively. Regional participation was highest from Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.
Conclusion:
While awareness and attitude toward medical law are promising, practical implementation remains suboptimal. Strengthening medico-legal training in dental education and continued professional development is crucial for ethical and legally sound practice.
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